Os Miseráveis

This particular film is amazing! I have read the book and consider it one of the most important works in time. The Broadway play is also amazing with its vocals, scenery and special effects. So how do you make a movie that truly captures the essence of what Victor Hugo's vision? The Liam Neeson movie falls incredibly short, but this film captures the true essence and spirit of Jean Valjean! It creatively tells you Hugo's story while telling you about another character's journey similiar to that of Valjean's! A hard-working, uneducated man offers to help a Jewish family escape the Holocaust. The Jewish family recognizes the spirit of Jean Valjean in this man and offer to tell him about Jean Valjean as they are fleeing out of harm's way. If you are looking for an interesting, unique movie to watch, THIS IS THE ONE!

This film is fantastic - I hope to find a DVD of it. My husband didn't fancy it but within 10 minutes was transfixed, and it's now one of his favourite films. It requires concentration because of the different story strands (and the fact that Jean-Paul Belmondo plays different characters in different stories) but the reward is great. It does capture the polarised human aspects of those who are selfless and help others at great danger to themselves, and those who exploit or betray others for their own gain. Truly unique.

Remarkable...one of the greatest films of the last 50 years and easily one of the most underrated. Commitment and heart, Victor Hugo and the Normandy Invasion on a budget of under 10 million? Hollywood should learn from this...

Seldom has a well-known plot served so well as germ for a loose adaptation of the same title. The usual pitfalls of remakes and adaptations have been avoided and the result is a breathtaking picture with a wondrous mix of surreal coincidence, fantasy, fluent narration, everyday detail brilliantly highlighted and genuine pain. The tempo of this movie is fast yet never rushed. The story lends itself perfectly to the cyclic nature of Lelouche's adaptation and the actors are brilliant. How is it possible that Martines (Mrs Ziman) is not world-famous? Of all the Les Miserables made to date, in my view this is by far the best.

I found this to be a beautiful film. I can not describe it to anyone without becoming emotional nearing the ending of the epic when all the smaller sub-plots become one. The movie is a celebration of determination, endurance, the search for justice and eventual joy. My only recommendation to anyone is to just see the film yourself. I did not even notice the length. I kept playing it over and over again. Belmondo is superb. The rest of the cast is magnificent. LeLouch did a fantastic job in his re-telling. I only wish that I could contact them all personally to thank them for the most emotionally happy three hours I have had in a long time. My very small video collection has grown by one!

I am amazed that this film came to the US in 1995 and went virtually unnoticed. It should have been an Academy Award (Oscar) standard!